Director, Engineering

 

Identifies quality and cost improvement opportunities compatible with corporate goals and objectives.  Directs the evaluation, development and testing of product concepts to ensure that products being developed are reliable and conform to specifications.  Ensures that the engineering change control process and all associated engineering documentation is created, modified, and controlled according to corporate document control policies.  Optimizes technical resources to ensure that existing products can be produced and marketed in alignment with the overall goals of the company to maximize global branding, market share, contribution margin and ROA contribution. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

·     Works with Supply Chain and Manufacturing to analyze and evaluate proposals for products modifications from internal and external sources to determine feasibility, cost, resource and timing requirements.Sets project objectives, scope, schedule and manpower requirements.  Provides estimated product and project costs for presentation to Management.

·      Directs the design and development activities that support OEM customer teams on line extensions and modifications to existing OEM products.

·      Monitors the progress and technical feasibility of all projects to verify they are meeting the scheduled financial and timing commitments.

·      Works hand-in-hand with the project engineers to develop design concepts and lead project teams.  Works with project teams to develop their strategic and tactical capabilities.

·      Coordinates new product and competitive product testing and evaluation.

·      Prepares annual department expense and capital budgets and controls expenses to meet budgeted commitments.

·      Ensures that legal records are maintained on patentable processes or designs originating during the course of engineering development work. 

·      Generates creative ideas for improvement to current products.

·      Maintains contact with appropriate government agencies, industry and professional associations to acquire information on current technical developments and market requirements.

·      Ensures that all code agency certificates are current and properly maintained.

·      Defines performance metrics for engineering change management, the test lab, the model shop and the sustaining engineering group and coordinates monthly analysis against these metrics.

·      Maintains an engineering test lab capable of testing products to pertinent code agency and developmental requirements.  Provides direction in the development of test plans and the design of test procedures/test fixtures.

·      Champions the engineering data management system and drives continuous improvement in the engineering change management process.

·      Directs the packaging engineering activities in support of new and existing products/programs.

·      Assists the VP of Engineering/Product Development in developing the engineering strategy.

·      Champions the project management culture and process.

·      Prepares and maintains resource plans and schedules.

·      Performs all other duties as required..

Education and/or experience

·      Bachelor of Science degree in an Engineering discipline from an accredited University.  An MBA or MS degree is desirable. 

·      High energy and the ability to multi-task across projects.

·      Ten years of "hands-on" experience managing an engineering/technical group in positions of increasing responsibility.   Ideal candidate will have experience in the plumbing industry or the field of fluid dynamics with exposure to high volume manufacturing of consumer goods.  Plastic and/or elastomeric part design experience a plus.

·      Works well in a cross-functional environment and across all disciplines.

·      Must have ability to view issues from a total business perspective.  Must have strong problem solving and time management skills, a results-oriented work ethic and be experienced in strategic planning.

·      Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to interface with all levels.

·      Must have strong administrative skills including computer proficiency in Microsoft Project, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.  Must have working knowledge of engineering software and a good understanding of PLM systems.  Experience with Windchill, ProE and Ansys a plus.

 Direct Reports

·      Sustaining Engineering Group

·      Engineering Test Lab & Model Shop

·      Engineering Systems & Document Control

·      Packaging Engineering

·      Codes & Standards Engineering